OpenFieldThe Catholic University of North Rhine-Westphalia (Katholische Hochschule Nordrhein-Westfalen - KatHO NRW) is Germany’s largest state-accredited church-sponsored university of applied sciences, renowned for social work, healthcare pedagogy, practical theology, and childhood education.
Established in 1971 by merging several historic academies of social pedagogy, KatHO NRW educates over 5,300 students across four dynamic campuses: Cologne, Münster, Paderborn, and Aachen. While sponsored by the Roman Catholic dioceses of North Rhine-Westphalia, KatHO NRW is fully state-recognized and welcomes students of all backgrounds and faiths. The university operates prestigious research institutes such as the German Institute for Addiction and Prevention Research (DISuP) and the Institute for Applied Care Research (IAP), shaping social legislation, community mental health policies, and healthcare ethics across the Federal Republic.
Prestigious German national scholarship sponsored by the Catholic church supporting outstanding doctoral researchers conducting thesis work in social work or practical ethics.
Two-year research fellowship at the German Institute for Addiction and Prevention Research (DISuP) examining adolescent digital addiction and community harm reduction.
Four-semester consecutive master's program offering specialized clinical training in systemic therapy, psychiatric rehabilitation, and forensic social services.
Federal co-funded merit scholarship awarded to outstanding undergraduate and graduate students demonstrating academic excellence and community engagement.
Seven-semester full-time degree program featuring integrated practical semesters in community centres, youth welfare offices, and healthcare institutions.
Six-month clinical research placement at the Institute for Applied Care Research evaluating digital assistive robotics in senior care residences.
Eight-month interdisciplinary continuing education certificate for healthcare practitioners and social workers in hospice care ethics and bereavement support.
Professor of Clinical Psychology and Social Work & Director of DISuP
Prominent clinical psychologist and federal policy advisor investigating risk and resilience factors in families affected by substance abuse and psychiatric disorders.
Topics: Addiction Prevention, Children of Mentally Ill and Addicted Parents (COPMI), Clinical Psychotherapy
View researcher profile ↗Professor of Nursing Science & Dean of the Aachen Department
Healthcare researcher developing standardized nursing diagnostic frameworks and evaluating psychosocial intervention models for individuals living with advanced dementia.
Topics: Dementia Care Interventions, Health Services Research, Care Diagnostics
View researcher profile ↗Professor of Theological Ethics and Social Ethics & Member of the German Ethics Council
Leading moral philosopher and bioethicist appointed to the Deutscher Ethikrat (German Ethics Council), advising the Federal Government on healthcare triage, gene editing, and pandemic ethics.
Topics: Bioethics & Care Ethics, Disability Rights and Inclusion, Social Justice Philosophy
View researcher profile ↗All listings are compiled from official university sources and reviewed under OpenField editorial standards. Program availability, scholarship quotas, and entry requirements are subject to university revisions. Applicants should confirm all deadlines with Catholic University of North Rhine-Westphalia (KatHO NRW)'s official admissions office.
Reviewed 2026-10-15 · Editorial standards · Report an issue